Sunday, January 6, 2013

THE LOCK OUT ENDS - HOW DO YOU FEEL?

TENTATIVE DEAL REACHED...

So the lockout ended today with news that a tentative deal has been reached. A new 10 year CBA will be sent for ratification from both the players and the owners. A formality that expects to be completed quickly and games back on the ice by either the 15th (50 game sched) or the 19th (48 game sched) of January.

A FAN'S REACTION...

While I am happy to be able to watch the game I love again, I am still very bitter and frustrated with the lockout. Many questions were raised on my Twitter timeline this morning. one that I found interesting was by @oilonwhyte my former colleague over at oilonwhyte.com he writes...

So how does the NHL "make whole" for the fans? What should they do / offer to show that you are valued?

and I responded with this...

 i think they should fire bettman. That would make me believe they are truly sorry. 

I honestly believe that if the Commissioner's job is not in jeopardy after three labour disputes on his watch, then the Ownwers / Board of Governors are not paying attention or just don't care that much about the game. 

Fortunately the new CBA is supposedly a 10 year deal so, at least this won't happen again for at least 7-8 years, but if the NHL truly feels shame towards their fans, and want to make it up to us, then they need to fire Bettman today.

It may be un-realistic after a 100+ days of negotiations to ask that this happen right now, but it needs to happen!

The NHL is a gate driven league and alienating the fans with labor disputes, especially in struggling markets, is the worst possible scenario for those teams. I wonder how Phoenix will do this abbreviated season?

OILERS HOCKEY...

It will be interesting see ttraining camp start in the next few days. I will also be very interested to see if the Oilers use the rumored two buy-outs on players has been apparently agreed on with the new deal. I guees we will have to wait and see.

HOW DO YOU FEEL...

If I have any readers left from the boycott of promoting hockey by blogging that I have done the last several months, then please let me know how you feel about the lockout and subsequent return of hockey this year.

GO OILERS GO!


Wednesday, September 5, 2012

CONTRACTS, TRAINING CAMP, AND A SEASON THAT MAY NOT HAPPEN

JORDAN EBERLE SIGNS...



You all know by now that Jordan Eberle has signed an extension with the Oilers for six years at $6M per season. He joined teammate Taylor Hall who signed a seven year extension back in August.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

TAYLOR HALL LOCKED UP BY OILERS FOR NEXT SEVEN YEARS



THE SPECULATION ENDS...

It was announced today by General Manager of the Edmonton Oilers, Steve Tambellini that Taylor Hall has signed a seven year contract extension for a reported 42 Million dollars.